Sewer Backups

Private Sewer Blockages vs Private Sewer Blockages

Sometimes, sewer backups are caused by a blockage in the sewer main. In that case, it is the responsibility of the KWRD to fix it. Sometimes, backups are caused by a blockage in the private service lateral that connects your property to the main. In that case, it is the responsibility of the owner to fix it.

Call KWRD at (815) 758-3513 to report any slowdown or stoppage in your sewer line. We will come out at no charge and inspect the sewer main near your property to determine if the blockage is a public or private issue.

Public Sewer Problems

In most of the District, the public sewer main runs down the middle of the street, though there are some exceptions in older neighborhoods. The size of the sewer main keeps it from becoming blocked most of the time, but it can happen. The most common causes of sewer main blockage are:

• Tree roots growing into the main
• Congealed grease that was poured down drains
• Construction debris that got into open sewer lines
• Little-used lines filling with sediment

Private Sewer Problems

If the District inspects the sewer main near your property and finds everything is working normally, you should have a licensed plumber inspect your service lateral. The service lateral is the pipe connecting your building to the sewer, and it is the property and responsibility of the property owner. You own the whole length of the pipe up to the place it connects with the public sewer, even if some of that length passes under city streets or sidewalks.

Service laterals are only 4 to 6 inches in diameter, so they can quickly become blocked. Common causes of lateral problems include:

• Flushing items that shouldn't be flushed
• Pouring grease down drains
• Tree roots growing into the lateral
• Improper connections between the lateral and the main
• Deterioration of the pipe itself

PREVENT PRIVATE SEWER BACKUPS

Illegal Connections Cause Problems

Legal connections to the sanitary sewer drain wastewater into the service lateral, which then connects to the sewer main. Illegal connections may circumvent the service lateral to tap directly into the main. Connections that drain rainwater or groundwater into the service lateral are also illegal.

When your foundation drain, sump pit, or roof drains are connected to the sanitary sewer, they can flood the sewer with water during a rain or a thaw. This can overload the system, causing sewer backups throughout the neighborhood.

Types of Illegal Connections

1. A single sump pump serving both foundation drains and sanitary drains. There must be separate connections so sanitary waste flows into the sanitary sewer and stormwater flows over land or into the storm sewer.
2. Foundation drains connected to the sanitary sewer. If a sump pump serving foundation drains discharges through an underground pipe in a direction where there is no storm sewer, it is probably discharging into the sanitary sewer.
3. Downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer. Downspouts drain water from the roof. They can be connected to foundation drains, but not to the sanitary sewer.

If your property has an illegal connection to the sanitary sewer, you may be eligible for a program that will help you pay up to half the cost of fixing it.